SPIN THE BOTTLE

Disclaimer: I don't own anything HP related, so don't sue me.

A/N: Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews AND the Happy Early B-Days. Once again, please RR mi other fanfic called "The KEY". I Can't believe I have 99 reviews!! (or, I do while I'm writing this) P.S.-Karana Belle—that's weird!! But cool

p.p.s-Hello Kit (kit's ANOTHER friend.)

Chapter Eight-The Halloween Ball

Harry, Ron and Malfoy had decided not to take Hermione to the Hospital Wing because that would require explaining. Instead, they kept her on her bed and hoped she recovered. When the teachers asked where she was they said that she was sick, but refused to go to the Hospital Wing. They also requested that no one visit her.

In about two weeks, she had finally recovered. The day after she recovered a notice appeared on the notice board in front of the Gryfindor Common Room (which Hermione had taken up visiting so that she could get some exercise while she was recovering). The notice read:

Students,

The Halloween Ball will take place next Wednesday due to the fact that there is something else going on during the actual Halloween Day. Please wear costumes, even though it isn't Halloween, it is to celebrate Halloween.

Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore

Hermione gasped. But today's Friday! How on earth are Malfoy and I supposed to plan a ball in four days??

Meanwhile, on the notice board in front of the Slytherin Common Room, Malfoy was thinking along the same lines, WHAT?! I'm sure Dumbledore knows Granger's been hurt, why'd he have to change the date?! FOUR DAYS! FOUR DAYS!

Hermione and Malfoy both ran toward their dorm and almost ran into each other. They started talking at the same time,

"Four days, can you believe it?"

"I've been sick!"

"Four days."

"Four days."

"Well, I guess we have to get started, I'll get out my sketch and we'll go from there."

After a few hours of hard work, Malfoy and Hermione finally decided on one huge floating Jack-O-Lantern in the middle of the hall that flies above everyone's heads, little muggle prototype witches serving dinner, and the hall all decked out in orange and black streamers. The band would be a new band called Violet Charm, which no one quite understood but they played good music so it was agreed upon. The only issue was how to get the witches and the band. Malfoy said it could've been easy if his father were still talking to him.

Hermione had a plan, "Malfoy, you know how we learned advanced transfiguration?"

"Yes."

"And you know how Cedric turned that rock into a dog in fourth year?"

"Yes."

"Well, for the witches, we could get them from pebbles or something."

"Okay, we'll do that, but what about the band?"

"I don't know."

"Wow, we're getting along."

"Amazing, isn't it. Now, back to the ball."

"Right, the band."

"Maybe Harry could get it," Hermione's face lit up.

"I don't trust him."

"You don't need to trust him for him to get a band for the ball."

"Fine, have Potter get it. But if he doesn't..."

"That's an empty threat." Hermione suddenly had a very evil smile, "So, who are you taking?"

"Taking?"

"To the ball, you idiot."

"Oh, well, no one yet."

"Me neither."

Malfoy looked at her. In the two weeks that he had cared for her, he found out things about her that he had never known. She had been bored so she told him many things. He felt himself growing closer to her whether he liked it or not.

"When you kissed me those two times, did it make you shiver?"

"Yes," Hermione said cautiously, "Why?"

"I was just wondering."

"No, I meant, why did I shiver?"

"Because my family is evil. I was feeling evil. I obviously didn't make you feel good."

"No, you didn't."

"I'm sorry."

"Another apology?" she said sharply, then covered her mouth, "Sorry," she said too.

"So, want to go with me to the ball?"

"What?!" she asked, her mouth open in a state of shock, "Me, you, ball? No."

"I was just wondering."

Hermione sighed, "Fine, but don't pull anything."

"So you'll go with me?" Malfoy looked oddly happy.

"I said fine. Why are you so happy?"

"Because I don't have to go with Pansy."

"Oh, so that's the only reason why you're going with me? Well, I take it back!" she screamed and stomped out of the room.

Draco put his head in his hands and sighed, "And just when I start to really care."

Four Days Later

Hermione was freaking out. The ball was in 3 hours. She had rejected Draco and her date was, well, she didn't have one. Both Harry and Ron had asked her at the same time and she had refused to play favorites. She was dateless. She walked into the bathroom to find Draco doing his hair. He was trying out different styles. Gelled back. Bangs in face. Long. Short. Suddenly, she took out her wand and styled his hair. The gel had he had put in disappeared and his bangs fell, just brushing his eyebrows. His hair was otherwise just normal, minus the gel. He looked in the mirror and then at Hermione. He smiled, "So, are you dateless?" he asked.

"Yes."

"Do you still take back your answer?"

"Fine, I'll go with you. I just want to know that your not going with me to get out of a date with Pansy."

"I'm not. That just slipped."

"Okay. I have to get ready now, so out of the bathroom."

He left reluctantly. Hermione started to pull on the dress she had bought at Hogsmeade.

Meanwhile, Draco waited by the door to escort her outside. He had dressed already and they still had to set up some of the decorations. When Hermione exited the bathroom, his jaw dropped. She was in a shimmering blue, knee-length dress that was strapless. On her back were wings that looked as though they really were wings. He assumed they were magical. Her hair was completely straight with the exception of two little ringlets in the front. Her shoes were about two inches high and were very strappy. She had a bit of make-up on. A touch of blue eye shadow looked really great with her deep brown eyes and she wore a bit of lipgloss. Other than that, she was make-up-less. "Muggle prototype fairy." She said, thinking that his jaw dropping was a question of what she was.

"No, I know what you are. You just look really great." He replied smoothly. She blushed.

"So, we ought to set up those decorations, huh?"

"Yeah. Did Potter get the band?"

"Yes. So ha!"

Draco laughed, "I think we better go." He opened the door and she walked out. All she had to do was wave her wand and everything was in place, including the witches.

2 hours later

"Come on, Malfoy!" Hermione shouted. He finally walked out of the room. As stunning as he was, she didn't even glance twice at him. When they walked out of the dorm, the other students gasped. The guys stared at Hermione and the girls all nearly swooned at Draco. Draco led Hermione down the stairs to the Great Hall, where Dumbledore soon addressed the students, "Before we dance, I say we eat. The band isn't quite here yet, anyway," He paused and Draco shot a glare at Harry, "However, the food is. The muggle witches are the waitresses."

Within 20 minutes, everyone was enjoying themselves immensely. The witches gave advice to anyone who would listen and they really loved striking up conversations. One stopped in front of Draco and Hermione, "I've heard," it said, "that Dumbledore always picks two students who will fall in love as Head Boy and Girl. I assume you two are the Heads?"

"Yes," said Draco coldly.

"Now, now, I'm not trying to be rude. Anyway, what would you like to eat?"

Draco looked at the menu that had appeared in his hands and said, "Well," he looked rather nervous, "Caviar." He finished.

Just as he suspected, Hermione burst out laughing. She obviously hadn't expected him to pick something so, rich. Then she said, "I'd love shepherd's pie, if you have it." Draco had the only menu.

"Yes, dear, we do. One moment." She waved her prototype wand and their food appeared. "Now, I'm your designated witch, so what would you like to talk about?"

Draco frowned, "I'd like to eat in peace please."

"Oh, sure, dearie. I'll go."

As soon as she left, Hermione started laughing again. "Oh, sure, DEARIE." She mimicked.

The witch flounced back, "Are you insulting me?"

"No," Hermione said, "I'm insulting him."

"Oh, all right." She said rather huffily and flew away on her broom to talk to one of the other witches.

"So, will you kiss me?" Draco asked slyly.

"We're eating!"

"So, you'd kiss me if we weren't eating?"

"You are preposterous!"

After a heated argument and the eating of much food, Dumbledore stood up again. "And now," he said, "Will the Head Boy and Girl share the first dance."

Hermione and Draco stood up. The band had arrived and it began to play a slow dance as the tables were moved away from the middle of the dance floor. Ron and Harry watched to make sure Draco made no moves, but it seemed like Hermione was actually having a great time. They knew she had said yes to his offer and they had also watched as he grew to trust Hermione while she was hurt.

Draco put one arm on Hermione's waist and the other on her shoulder. She shivered a little. It was extremely nerve-racking. She put her hands on his waist and shoulder too. And so, they danced. As the rest of the school joined in, they were forgotten and it was then that Draco led her out of the Hall. "Malfoy?" she said as they got outside.

"Draco," he responded, "I want to show you something."

"Great. Draco Malfoy, showing me something. Joy."

"It's not dangerous, I swear. I did it in second year. I swore that when I finally trusted someone, I'd show them."

"You trust me?"

"Yes, why?"

"Why do I find that hard to believe?"

"Because I've taunted and teased you. But seriously, I helped you get better and I realized just how vulnerable you really are."

"Oh, so that's why you like me?" Hermione said, her cheeks getting red, "Because I'm vulnerable and you can make moves on me?"

"NO, Hermione, that's not it!"

"Then what is it?" she said, her voice soft, dangerously soft.

"You're so nice, and although you were vulnerable then, and you told me your secrets and you listened to mine about hating my father."

"Okay, you made a good reason why I should believe that you like me, but what about me trusting you and you trusting me?"

"I trust you. I've never told anyone else about hating my father. And you obviously trust me because you told me a lot of your deepest secrets."

She smiled, "Fine, so where is this place."

"Right here," he said, pointing to the Lake. Then, it transformed. It was an ice skating rink.

"I don't ice skate." She said, and started to walk away.

"Oh yes you do!" he dragged her on the ice and skating shoes magically appeared. It turned out she was actually pretty good at ice skating. After a few hours, Draco said they should probably go back in and go to sleep. As they left the rink, he kissed her. It was different than any other kiss. It felt beautiful.

Suddenly, she said, "Don't ask me out, okay?"

"Am I really that predictable?"

"Oh, yes." She laughed as they walked inside.

A/N: wow, this was long! I hope you guys enjoy! Today is my B-Day!! To Crystal: Please send me a letter soon!